Time to stop unscrupulous politicians
Staff Writer | Tuesday January 21, 2014 17:01
This is the time our homes will be invaded by politicians with bags full of tricks to hoodwink the gullible masses to cast votes in their favour. Populist politicians will be posing for television cameras and photo shots kissing babies with the ruling party legislators expected to donate cheap items to the marginalised. Most of these donations will be from companies doing business with the government.
Even terrible dancers will take to the dance floor to impress one or two voters to their side. Others will organise free music festivals in open spaces. Free plates of food and beverages of all kinds will flow for the poorest of the poor.
The unfortunate fellows who find themselves living under the poverty datum line will for the first time in their miserable lives enjoy joy rides in air conditioned SUVs. This camaraderie is only limited to the election year.
Politicians will be addressing rallies taking pot shots at rivals. The charge sheet against rivals will be long, as opponents will be accusing each other of all sorts of crimes under the sun. Rivals will spew unimaginable insults at each other. Even lack of rain that has dodged the country for many years will be attributed to some political parties. Rhetoric will replace pragmatic ideas in order to sell the unsophisticated potential voters a dummy.
Populist politicians will woo voters with their charm instead of presenting their policies. Regrettably, the playing field in our politics is not even. The incumbent enjoys unfair advantage over the poorly resourced opposition. From public media coverage to campaign money the ruling party will be well endowed in all aspects. As we are all aware, politicians are in the business of winning elections. A certain American once said the following about politicians: “They’ll spend campaign money to get into office, and once elected they’ll spend both campaign funds and tax money to stay there.” We cannot help but agree with the Yankee! As you read this, all the major political parties in Botswana are busy addressing primary elections appeals from disgruntled politicians who always cry foul whenever they are defeated. The ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) is leading with defeated candidates complaining about irregularities during the primaries. Almost all the vanquished candidates are claiming the winners and their sponsors scored victory through unscrupulous means. The opposition Botswana National Front (BNF) and the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) losing candidates have joined the blame game. The parties have their fair share of appeals and defections. With the current crop of politicians Botswana has, democracy is the loser. We have some of the most despicable self-serving politicians who do not care about the voters. Their ultimate goal is to enrich themselves at the expense of the masses. Alleged womanisers and criminals become ‘angels’ in the election year.
These unscrupulous politicians have taken the voter for a ride for too long. It has to stop. But only if the voter knows they have the power to change the status quo.
Today’s thought
“The problem with political jokes is they get elected,”
– Henry Cate VII